Off-Duty Fire Captain Helps Fight Jersey Shore House Fire

MARGATE CITY, NJ — An Atlantic City fire captain is being praised for his work assisting in a Margate City house fire while off-duty.

Capt. Tim Schwegman was off-duty when he saw smoke rising from a Margate home on Sept. 26, according to the Margate City Fire Department and the Atlantic City Fire Department.

"After confirming a working structure fire, Captain Schwegman alerted Margate dispatch, located a nearby hydrant and assisted responding firefighters with hose lines, forcible entry and establishing a water supply — initially in a T-shirt, shorts and barefoot," the Atlantic City Fire Department said.

Margate firefighters quickly arrived to the scene, along with mutual aid.

The blaze was quickly extinguished.

While the home suffered extensive damage, no injuries were reported.

"The Margate City Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to thank off duty ACFD Fire Captain, Tim Schwegman, for his assistance at our working fire yesterday on Granville Avenue," the department said. "He not only reported the fire, but assisted with on scene operations, stretching of the initial attack line and hand stretching the 5” supply line to a nearby hydrant. He is a true professional and an asset to the Atlantic City Fire Department."

Schwegman's message was simple, according to the Atlantic City Fire Department.

"Margate put the fire out. They did a great job. I was just glad I could help and nobody got hurt," Schwegman said.